Minister for Health Mary Harney has again ruled out developing the proposed new national children's hospital on a site offered by a businessman in west Dublin.
Last month it emerged that developer Richard Farrington had sought planning permission for a hospital complex on a site between Newlands Cross and Citywest. Under the proposal, the site would house a new children's facility as well as an adult hospital and a maternity unit.
However, in an interview with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio yesterday, the Minister said that Mr Farrington's model "did not stand up".
She said that the Government had already given a commitment to redevelop the Mater hospital site. "The last thing we need is a new adult hospital in Dublin," she added.
Ms Harney said that the site proposed by Mr Farrington had been examined by the task group which had recommended the Mater site as the location for the new national children's hospital.
Ms Harney said that parents of sick children had told her that the Government and the Health Service Executive should get on with the development of the new hospital.
Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin and Tallaght Hospital have expressed opposition to developing the new facility on the Mater site.
